The Cauvery Conundrum: Historical Roots Of A Modern Dispute

Abstract

For hundreds of years, conflicts in water sharing have existed all around the globe. Water-sharing disputes, like the one involving the Cauvery River in southern India, have historical underpinnings. The Cauvery conflict, stretching over 130 years, initially focused on agricultural water rights. However, late 20th-century industrialisation, population growth, and climate change-induced water shortages have reshaped its contours. Diminished rainfall has not only disrupted traditional water-sharing norms but also escalated political tensions. The study revisits the historical trajectory of the Cauvery dispute, incorporating diverse stakeholder viewpoints, from state governments to grassroots communities. It gets into the socio-economic and environmental repercussions of the protracted dispute. Besides it scrutinises the legal and policy frameworks, assessing their aptitude in managing and potentially resolving the contention. Through a refreshed perspective on this longstanding disagreement, this study seeks to inspire decision-makers to champion sustainable and equitable solutions.